When Each State Officially Joined the Union
The following chronological snapshot presents the official admission dates for each U.S. state. While thirteen colonies formed the early backbone of the union, the full federation expanded over two centuries through formal acts of Congress and presidential assent. This guide highlights the exact joining dates or the official ratification dates when available, emphasizing the sequence of statehood across American history.
Alabama — Joined December 14, 1819
Alabama was admitted as the 22nd state on December 14, 1819, completing its transition from a territory to statehood.
Alaska — Joined January 3, 1959
Alaska became the 49th state on January 3, 1959, following the Alaska Statehood Act and presidential signature.
Arizona — Joined February 14, 1912
Arizona was admitted as the 48th state on February 14, 1912, under President Taft.
Arkansas — Joined June 15, 1836
Arkansas gained statehood on June 15, 1836, as the 25th state.
California — Joined September 9, 1850
California joined the union on September 9, 1850, after gold rush era expansion shaped its trajectory.
Colorado — Joined August 1, 1876
Colorado was admitted on August 1, 1876, the year that earned it a nickname as the Centennial State.
Connecticut — Joined January 9, 1788
Connecticut ratified the U.S. Constitution and achieved statehood on January 9, 1788.
Delaware — Joined December 7, 1787
Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution and joined the union on December 7, 1787.
Florida — Joined March 3, 1845
Florida became the 27th state on March 3, 1845, after a brief period of territorial governance.
Georgia — Joined January 2, 1788
Georgia joined the Union as one of the original states on January 2, 1788.
Hawaii — Joined August 21, 1959
Hawaii was admitted as the 50th state on August 21, 1959.
Idaho — Joined July 3, 1890
Idaho attained statehood on July 3, 1890.
Illinois — Joined December 3, 1818
Illinois entered the Union on December 3, 1818, as the 21st state.
Indiana — Joined December 11, 1816
Indiana joined the Union on December 11, 1816, becoming the 19th state.
Iowa — Joined December 28, 1846
Iowa achieved statehood on December 28, 1846.
Kansas — Joined January 29, 1861
Kansas joined the Union on January 29, 1861, amid the rising tensions before the Civil War.
Kentucky — Joined June 1, 1792
Kentucky was admitted on June 1, 1792, as the 15th state.
Louisiana — Joined April 30, 1812
Louisiana joined on April 30, 1812, becoming the 18th state.
Maine — Joined March 15, 1820
Maine became a state on March 15, 1820, as part of the Missouri Compromise era.
Maryland — Joined April 28, 1788
Maryland ratified the Constitution and achieved statehood on April 28, 1788.
Massachusetts — Joined February 6, 1788
Massachusetts joined early under the Constitution on February 6, 1788.
Michigan — Joined January 26, 1837
Michigan was admitted on January 26, 1837, as the 26th state.
Minnesota — Joined May 11, 1858
Minnesota joined on May 11, 1858, amid westward expansion.
Mississippi — Joined December 10, 1817
Mississippi became a state on December 10, 1817, as the 20th state.
Missouri — Joined August 10, 1821
Missouri joined the Union on August 10, 1821, under the Missouri Compromise framework.
Montana — Joined November 8, 1889
Montana gained statehood on November 8, 1889.
Nebraska — Joined March 1, 1867
Nebraska was admitted on March 1, 1867, becoming the 37th state.
Nevada — Joined October 31, 1864
Nevada joined on October 31, 1864, during the Civil War era.
New Hampshire — Joined June 21, 1788
New Hampshire was the ninth to ratify the Constitution, joining on June 21, 1788.
New Jersey — Joined December 18, 1787
New Jersey joined on December 18, 1787, soon after Delaware’s lead in ratification.
New Mexico — Joined January 6, 1912
New Mexico gained statehood on January 6, 1912.
New York — Joined July 26, 1788
New York joined the Union on July 26, 1788, as one of the original colonies.
North Carolina — Joined November 21, 1789
North Carolina ratified the Constitution and joined on November 21, 1789.
North Dakota — Joined November 2, 1889
North Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889.
Ohio — Joined March 1, 1803
Ohio joined on March 1, 1803, as the 17th state.
Oklahoma — Joined November 16, 1907
Oklahoma achieved statehood on November 16, 1907.
Oregon — Joined February 14, 1859
Oregon joined on February 14, 1859, as the 33rd state.
Pennsylvania — Joined December 12, 1787
Pennsylvania was among the first to ratify the Constitution, joining on December 12, 1787.
Rhode Island — Joined May 29, 1790
Rhode Island joined the union on May 29, 1790, the last of the original colonies to ratify.
South Carolina — Joined May 23, 1788
South Carolina joined on May 23, 1788, as one of the original thirteen states.
South Dakota — Joined November 2, 1889
South Dakota was admitted on November 2, 1889, alongside North Dakota.
Tennessee — Joined June 1, 1796
Tennessee joined on June 1, 1796, the 16th state to enter the Union.
Texas — Joined December 29, 1845
Texas joined on December 29, 1845, following its republic status and annexation.
Utah — Joined January 4, 1896
Utah gained statehood on January 4, 1896, after tensions over governance and population growth.
Vermont — Joined March 4, 1791
Vermont joined on March 4, 1791, becoming the 14th state.
Virginia — Joined June 25, 1788
Virginia ratified the Constitution and joined on June 25, 1788.
Washington — Joined November 11, 1889
Washington statehood was granted on November 11, 1889.
West Virginia — Joined June 20, 1863
West Virginia separated from Virginia and joined on June 20, 1863.
Wisconsin — Joined May 29, 1848
Wisconsin joined on May 29, 1848, as the 30th state.
Wyoming — Joined July 10, 1890
Wyoming was admitted on July 10, 1890, the first U.S. state to grant women full voting rights at the time of admission.